Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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Trailer towing question
Hello all there you i don't really nomads out there.
It has been many years since I've told a trailer in Baja California in I am going to be doing a small teardrop trailer in and out of Mexico on
occasion in the future i was wondering which oh good entry points will let you go in and out with a trailer and are there any new rules related to
that that I should know about.I have noticed I never see any trailers in the San Ysidro lineSo I'm assuming they must be going through Otay Mesa or
somewhere else.Any help you people can give me I will surely be appreciative of that Thank you very much.
Bruce
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6025
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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I have only pulled my small utility trailer down the peninsula twice in the last ten years, but I have learned a few things in the process. I crossed
once at Otay Mesa, and once at San Luis Rio Colorado with no problems at either entry.
In addition to current tags and registration, make sure the trailer is covered on your Mexican insurance policy.
I go oversize on my tires, and adjust the air pressure according to the weight I am hauling. Large and soft takes a lot of bounce out of the ride!
I also carry as much weight on the tow vehicle as I can to take advantage of the better suspension. I used air bags to level the rig with the extra
tongue weight on the receiver.
If you are planning on driving at night (north or south of the border) make sure your final configuration doesn't have your headlights aimed too high
or low.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 667
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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I've crossed both north and southbound at San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, and Tecate with utility trailers and a 16' four-horse trailer. No problems at any of
the crossings. Your small teardrop should not have any problem either.
Driving to/from Ensenada, I would cross at San Ysidro to avoid cross town streets and intersections. City traffic is stressful, particularly when
towing a trailer.
Northbound from Tecate is a tight squeeze for the longer rigs. You would want to be in the left of the two lanes for a wider turn.
Upon entering Mexico, you will be asked for your trailer registration, the original document, not a photocopy. Make certain that your
VIN matches the paperwork. I had to stamp VIN numbers on one utility trailer to avoid further hassles entering Mexico.
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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Hi Bruce. Nice to see you here. I am just a lurker here remembering some good old days. BTW I just built and opened a new restaurant this year and
still driving the RAM everyday! Good to see you busy. If you make it up the Coast Hwy in Oregon please do stop in for some fresh oysters at Sharks.
Bueno suerte with your trailer crossing and travels.. Corky
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Don Jorge
Senior Nomad
Posts: 647
Registered: 8-29-2003
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Quote: Originally posted by Maderita  | I've crossed both north and southbound at San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, and Tecate with utility trailers and a 16' four-horse trailer. No problems at any of
the crossings. Your small teardrop should not have any problem either.
Driving to/from Ensenada, I would cross at San Ysidro to avoid cross town streets and intersections. City traffic is stressful, particularly when
towing a trailer.
Northbound from Tecate is a tight squeeze for the longer rigs. You would want to be in the left of the two lanes for a wider turn.
Upon entering Mexico, you will be asked for your trailer registration, the original document, not a photocopy. Make certain that your
VIN matches the paperwork. I had to stamp VIN numbers on one utility trailer to avoid further hassles entering Mexico. |
X2
BTW, Nice to see some familiar nome de plumes again!
�And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry
years. It was always that way.�― John Steinbeck
"All models are wrong, but some are useful." George E.P. Box
"Nature bats last." Doug "Hayduke" Peac-ck
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Loretana
Senior Nomad
Posts: 825
Registered: 5-19-2006
Location: Oregon/Loreto
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Mood: alegre
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Wow, a lot of the old gang is still alive and kicking (and trailering!!)
Nice to see a decent, informative post.
"If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration."
-Nikola Tesla
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6025
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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I glossed right over the line where you said "to Ensenada". You can probably ignore most of my reply, which was more about exploring than setting up
in a place you already are familiar with.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2306
Registered: 4-23-2006
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I have always subscribed to the idea that sidewall flex and resulting higher temperatures are tough on trailer tires. I have had good luck keeping
them fully inflated.
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3511
Registered: 8-27-2003
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Holy moly, Bruce, Maderita, Loretana, Sharks-freeking-baja, on same post. If Pompano chimes in.....
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6025
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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| Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob | | I have always subscribed to the idea that sidewall flex and resulting higher temperatures are tough on trailer tires. I have had good luck keeping
them fully inflated. |
With smaller trailer tires, or heavy loads, I agree! That is why I modified my trailer to run the same wheels and tires as my tow vehicle. Fully
loaded (firewood etc) I run the same pressure as the tow vehicle. With just camping gear I air-down on highways, and way down on beaches and back
roads.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18375
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo | | Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob | | I have always subscribed to the idea that sidewall flex and resulting higher temperatures are tough on trailer tires. I have had good luck keeping
them fully inflated. |
With smaller trailer tires, or heavy loads, I agree! That is why I modified my trailer to run the same wheels and tires as my tow vehicle. Fully
loaded (firewood etc) I run the same pressure as the tow vehicle. With just camping gear I air-down on highways, and way down on beaches and back
roads. |
Not a fan of running auto tires on trailers. If ever in an accident, may be liability for ignoring all directives to run only trailer tires on
trailers. I like goodyear endurance, one of the few trailer tires that provides load inflation tables for varying loads (most trailer tires specify
one pressure fits all).
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64845
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Hi Bruce and Sharks!
Interesting what brings out replies here.
Hope you and everyone else is doing well and enjoying life.
One day, we will get to Newport and enjoy your fixings, I hope!
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Loretana
Senior Nomad
Posts: 825
Registered: 5-19-2006
Location: Oregon/Loreto
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Mood: alegre
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If only Pompano would chime in!!
"If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration."
-Nikola Tesla
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 667
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | ... I like goodyear endurance, one of the few trailer tires that provides load inflation tables for varying loads (most trailer tires specify one
pressure fits all). |
As far as I know, the Goodyear "Endurance" is the only trailer tire made in the USA. More expensive than other trailer tires, but worth the higher
cost in reliability and safety. Many offshore trailer tires are notorious for catastrophic blowouts. I have Goodyear Endurance tires on 2 of my
trailers.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18375
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by Maderita | | Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | ... I like goodyear endurance, one of the few trailer tires that provides load inflation tables for varying loads (most trailer tires specify one
pressure fits all). |
As far as I know, the Goodyear "Endurance" is the only trailer tire made in the USA. More expensive than other trailer tires, but worth the higher
cost in reliability and safety. Many offshore trailer tires are notorious for catastrophic blowouts. I have Goodyear Endurance tires on 2 of my
trailers. |
They are a bit spendy. I usually buy online, then get my local shop to install. I like them because their specs allow changing pressure to match
load, and most other tires dont have specs that allow that.
[Edited on 7-12-2023 by mtgoat666]
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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CaboMagic
Super Nomad
Posts: 1109
Registered: 4-30-2005
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Popping in to say HI BRUCE!!!! Happy to see your name on a post 
Safe and pleasant travels amigo, T&L
And SHARKS Corky Omgoodness -- U2 !!!
[Edited on 7-13-2023 by CaboMagic]
[Edited on 7-13-2023 by CaboMagic]
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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thank you
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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| Quote: Originally posted by Sharksbaja | | Hi Bruce. Nice to see you here. I am just a lurker here remembering some good old days. BTW I just built and opened a new restaurant this year and
still driving the RAM everyday! Good to see you busy. If you make it up the Coast Hwy in Oregon please do stop in for some fresh oysters at Sharks.
Bueno suerte with your trailer crossing and travels.. Corky |
Man, your reviews of the restaurant are off the charts. Kudos for making the new location work in the face of the pandemic.
I am going to Oregon this summer but not that far south.
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